A very huge tree, with many prop roots (aerial roots) which helps plant to extend its canopy to wide area. Leaves coriaceous, minutely pubescent beneath, base rounded to subcordate, with 3-7 veins from base. A hypanthodium is red when ripe, ca 1.5 cm in diameter, round. The banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) is characterized by its aerial roots, sprawling canopy, textured bark, and cultural significance.

Currently, India has six banyans that occupy one hectare or more. The largest is “Thimmamma Marrimanu,” located in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. Thimmamma Marrimanu’s combined crowns merge to occupy 2.19 hectares (5.41 acres). The canopy spans approximately 190 m long by 145 m wide (623 x 476 ft) and is supported by nearly 4,000 prop roots.

The most famous banyan tree, albeit slightly smaller than Thimmamma Marrimanu, is “The Great Banyan”, located in the Indian Botanical Garden of Kolkata, West Bengal, with >3,000 supporting trunks. The combined crowns occupy 1.65 hectares (4 acres) (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/).